The trade that never happened!
Remember in 2007, when Kobe Bryant vented to the world with Stephen A. Smith about wanting out of LA? Well, according to ESPN.com’s Brian Windhort, he revealed earlier today that the Lakers almost convinced the Cleveland Cavaliers to trade them LeBron James for the Black Mamba.
While Kobe had a no trade-clause in his contract with the Lakers, his destinations were limited to just the Chicago Bulls, San Antonio Spurs and Phoenix Suns – before warming up to the Dirk Nowitzki deal, that was just moments away from being signed and submitted by Mark Cuban.
With the two set to play their final game against each other in Cleveland, this news makes tonight’s match-up that much more interesting for the ESPN showdown. Things obviously worked out for both players, as Kobe went to win two more titles, with King James heading to South Beach for a back-to-back of his own with Pat Riley and the Miami Heat. Let us know in the comments if you think LeBron would’ve won more than two rings under Phil Jackson in Los Angeles.
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